Experts who study the issue in New Mexico say that 30 percent of child abuse cases are now committed by children and adolescents, Action 7 News reported."It got to the point where I wanted to die," one victim told Action 7 News. Carmen, 15, who asked that her last name not be used for this story, said an adolescent started abusing her when she was 7 years old."We started playing games," she said. Then there was "a little touching. Then it escalated from there."Calling the abuse "terrifying," Carmen said she was afraid to reach out for help. That changed because, "I don't want anyone to go through what I went through.""It's a very distrurbing trend' said Sgt. Matt Thomas, of the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office."Typically we see a good dozen of these every month, and I suspect soon we will have a couple dozen a month," Thomas said."Most of the time these cases aren't getting prosecuted," Thomas said. "There is no early intervention. The children aren't getting treated and they fall through the cracks."A spokesman for the district attorney's office told Action 7 News that it's difficult to prosecute young children. If they are prosecuted, they are often found not competent to stand trial. And if there's no criminal conviction, the child can't get the treatment they need.Even so, early intervention is key to changing abuse patterns, according to Steve Johnson, executive director of All Faiths Receiving Home, a shelter for abused children."The younger we can get at these cases, the easier it is to change," he said."Our ultimate goal is not to imprison young children but to get them to stop this behavior and get them on the right track."The rising trend in this kind of abuse may be related to more aggressive behavior among children, according to Donita Goodin, executive director of Albuquerque's Insights Resources, which treats adolescents with sexual behavior problems.Goodin says her organization has treated more than 200 young people in the last five years.Thomas, Goodin and others point to an increase in open, aggressive and sexual behavior in American culture as some of the possible causes for this abuse."We are seeing more aggressive behavior with younger kids," Goodin said, adding that, combined with sexual behavior, "the impact that it could have on someone is severe.""The culture today is so sexual," Thomas said. "Children are learning this activity and, of course, they want to experiment."Without the early intervention, that behvior pattern can be carried into adulthood.If they are reached early, "adolescents often times will receive specialized treatment unless there's a court order to go through the juvenile justice system," Goodin said.Carmen said young abusers need to be intercepted and helped. "It can devastate your entire life," Carmen said of the abuse she suffered. "You are unsure of yourself. Your self-esteem goes down. It's very important you tell somebody."Carmen did seek help. She's on medication and seeing a therapist.Experts say parents can help protect their children from abuse by looking for signs of physical abuse, emotional withdrawal and depression. Parents also need to understand that sexual abuse takes place in an environment of coercion, lack of consent and inequality.Anyone who suspects a child is being sexually abused should call the police. You can also contact:All Faiths Receiving Home: (505) 271-0329/www.allfaiths.orgInsights Resources: 505 265-1125

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

Experts who study the issue in New Mexico say that 30 percent of child abuse cases are now committed by children and adolescents, Action 7 News reported.

"It got to the point where I wanted to die," one victim told Action 7 News. Carmen, 15, who asked that her last name not be used for this story, said an adolescent started abusing her when she was 7 years old.

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"We started playing games," she said. Then there was "a little touching. Then it escalated from there."

Calling the abuse "terrifying," Carmen said she was afraid to reach out for help. That changed because, "I don't want anyone to go through what I went through."

"It's a very distrurbing trend' said Sgt. Matt Thomas, of the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office.

"Typically we see a good dozen of these every month, and I suspect soon we will have a couple dozen a month," Thomas said.

"Most of the time these cases aren't getting prosecuted," Thomas said. "There is no early intervention. The children aren't getting treated and they fall through the cracks."

A spokesman for the district attorney's office told Action 7 News that it's difficult to prosecute young children. If they are prosecuted, they are often found not competent to stand trial. And if there's no criminal conviction, the child can't get the treatment they need.

Even so, early intervention is key to changing abuse patterns, according to Steve Johnson, executive director of All Faiths Receiving Home, a shelter for abused children.

"The younger we can get at these cases, the easier it is to change," he said.

"Our ultimate goal is not to imprison young children but to get them to stop this behavior and get them on the right track."

The rising trend in this kind of abuse may be related to more aggressive behavior among children, according to Donita Goodin, executive director of Albuquerque's Insights Resources, which treats adolescents with sexual behavior problems.

Goodin says her organization has treated more than 200 young people in the last five years.

Thomas, Goodin and others point to an increase in open, aggressive and sexual behavior in American culture as some of the possible causes for this abuse.

"We are seeing more aggressive behavior with younger kids," Goodin said, adding that, combined with sexual behavior, "the impact that it could have on someone is severe."

"The culture today is so sexual," Thomas said. "Children are learning this activity and, of course, they want to experiment."

Without the early intervention, that behvior pattern can be carried into adulthood.

If they are reached early, "adolescents often times will receive specialized treatment unless there's a court order to go through the juvenile justice system," Goodin said.

Carmen said young abusers need to be intercepted and helped. "It can devastate your entire life," Carmen said of the abuse she suffered. "You are unsure of yourself. Your self-esteem goes down. It's very important you tell somebody."

Carmen did seek help. She's on medication and seeing a therapist.

Experts say parents can help protect their children from abuse by looking for signs of physical abuse, emotional withdrawal and depression. Parents also need to understand that sexual abuse takes place in an environment of coercion, lack of consent and inequality.

Anyone who suspects a child is being sexually abused should call the police. You can also contact: